You might also check out the pre-owned/vintage section at a better jewelry store. My jeweler always has a few Rolies in stock.
I must admit, I've ordered a Sub replica for my buddy. a) I could afford it; b) it's an exact rep of the Sub which Sean Connery wore in Goldfinger and Thurderball; c) I'm curious as to quality. Photos when it arrives!
i had a short look at this thread. why the hell does anybody wear a replica watch? why be a wannabe? why make a fool out of you? people who are interested in watches will easily find out its a replica. people who are not interested dont care anyway. so why? buy the real thing you can afford and forget replicas! would anyone want a fiero-based Ferrari? thats the same!
The constant *****ing from elitists (sorry, purists) in here is getting old. If you don't want a replica/fake/counterfeit watch don't get one. If you want to affirm your holier than thou attitude, take it elsewhere.
Guys, While watcheden is a great starting point, I've learned that they do not offer the best. If you're after an almost perfect replica with a true second hand sweep (Swiss ETA) then you need to go for a noobfactory Asian ETA 2836. They retail for $200-$400 but some of the forums have special deals with the dealers for their forum members. I just picked up a GMT Master II with Asian ETA which is said to be a perfect copy for $148 incl shipping.
They are exactly that but why spend $5K on a watch when you can get the exact same watch that a lot of the time is just as reliable if not more for less than a tenth of that?
Go either way on the replica question as you wish, but "exact same watch"? NO. Take a Rolex as an example. First Rolex movements are all in-house movements, not ETA. Next, An ETA movement by itself is not capable of COSC performance. Third, a copy of an ETA movement is even further behind. Fourth, most high end watchmakers that do use an ETA base rip it apart and make significant changes and refinements. Similar points could be made about the dialface, case and band. All that extra cost includes a good markup to get to the $5000 store price. Choose to pay up or not as I said, and many people won't think the mechanical performance and quality are worth it. But if you buy an homage by a respected brand with a real ETA movement for the same $500, I think that is better value than a replica.
Just think about this: many people here own scale models of cars. Why buy them? Some could say that if you can't afford the real thing, you shouldn't buy something that is similar. Just a few people can afford real works of art like Van Gogh's paintings, yet many buy books or posters that reproduce the real thing. IMHO, it's just a matter of enjoying beauty. If I can afford a real 330 P4, I buy it. If I can't, I buy a replica built by Norwood. Me, I just have the 1/18 scale model...
No, have you ever owned a good rep to compare ? When I compared a real v. excellent rep Rolex there wasn't enough difference to justify buying a real one. Some reps are bad then I can see that arguement
Ylshih. ETA movements are indeed capable of COSC performance. Many high end watches use ETA as a base for their "in-house" modified movements. Many the times the only modification is the addition of an engraved bridge or automatic winder. I believe that 5-10% of all movements certidied by COSC are ETA. Bdel
good or bad - it is a replica. and why show off a "Rolex" that isnt original. its no matter of money - its a matter of taste! there are so many affordable and well made mechanic watches, you dont need to buy a big name if you are not willing or able to spend that much.
I have had nothing but problems with WATCHEDEN, can somebody give me a few other web sites for replica watches.....Thanks
"people who are interested in watches will easily find out its a replica." Depending on the watch in question, I would certainly disagree. There are replica Rolex watches that will stand up to comparison with the real thing until you break out a magnifier. I'd say a replica watch is nothing like a Fiero based Ferrari replica. The Fiero can be spotted as a fake by most people on its own. Put it next to a Ferrari? It stands out like a sore thumb. Start it up? Game over - it is fake. Drive it? Just forget about it. A replica watch? On its own, it looks the part. Side by side with the real thing? It may still look and feel 100%. Down to function - do both function & accurately tell the time? Likely so. Not saying I'm a huge fan of replica/counterfeit watches, but if properly built, at least the watch won't let you down.
Geez those watches are like $400-$600... I used to buy those $35 watches on Canal street when i was a kid- But for $600 you can buy any number of very nice watches Many of the Oris and tag watches are well under a grand- it hardly seems worth the trouble to try and fool people... I have a nice older Tag diver that i bought for $300- Basically identical to a Rolex Sub...If you hunt around you can find many nice Breitlings for under a grand- same for many Omegas...all quality pieces that will last a lifetime.
I believe I said that; though apparently poorly. When I said "ETA movement by itself" and "base ETA", I meant the typical ETA movement *as delivered from the movement maker* is not capable of COSC performance. COSC level performance tuning, refinements or additional complications are generally done by the manufacturer that integrates that base movement into their high end branded watches. When I looked at the ETA line years ago, that was true; I suppose it is possible that ETA could now offer high end base movements in their current line that are COSC capable "as-is"; but those are certainly not the movements the replica makers mean. Replicas that imply a base ETA movement to be equivalent to a COSC certified one are preying on the lack of knowledge of buyers. Replicas that tout a replica of an ETA movement are at a worse level of misrepresentation.
Are you kidding?? This is what we have come to? The point is you are breaking the law, does it bother you in the least? I would be embarrassed to wear a replica watch, and even more embarrassed to have to admit its a replica.. And then sound like an idiot trying to explain that its as equal to an original or that I have an original at home but wear a replica in case it gets damaged or stolen.. I have nothing against you guys buying these replicas, to each their own... But don't get worked up when people call you a fake or bring up the fact you are breaking the law....
Aren't you breaking federal law when you install test pipes for example ? That is just as much or can result in heavier penalty then buying counterfeit goods. So again , what's you point ? Secondly, stars commonly wear replica jewelry on camera no less and I don't hear a public outcry
